National Aviation Organizations Commend Maryland Governor for Declaring September ‘General Aviation and Community Airport Month’

Washington, DC— Today, national aviation organizations commended Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley for declaring September “General Aviation and Community Airport Month.” In the state of Maryland, general aviation supports over $550 million in annual economic activity.

“We would like to thank Governor O’Malley for his proclamation, which recognizes the value of general aviation and community airports in Maryland,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation provides Maryland with critical services and supports economic opportunity across the state.”

“General aviation has allowed communities to stay connected and tap into new markets that would be difficult to access otherwise,” said Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “We applaud Governor O’Malley’s proclamation recognizing the key advantages that general aviation brings to our home state of Maryland and all throughout the country.”

“Business aviation offers Maryland businesses the opportunity to reach customers and different markets, while providing them with greater flexibility and increased efficiency in global markets,” explained Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “We thank Governor O’Malley for recognizing the importance of business aviation, and we look forward to continuing our work with him.”

“General aviation is critical to the daily lives of many Maryland citizens,” said Jack Pelton, Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “We appreciate the Governor’s acknowledgment of the many benefits that general aviation supports, and we look forward to working with him to help inspire interest in aviation.”

Kim Stevens, interim President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) stated, “Maryland’s airport system helps the state’s companies, farms, and communities access numerous goods, services, and businesses. We applaud Governor O’Malley and Executive Director of Maryland’s Aviation Administration Paul Wiedefeld for their work in emphasizing the many benefits that general aviation provides in Maryland.”

“General aviation and local airports provide thousands of jobs and help local businesses to compete and grow in a highly competitive economy,” stated Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. “NATA and our member companies in Maryland thank Governor O’Malley for his work and recognition of general aviation as a necessary resource for businesses and communities across the state.”

“Helicopters and other general aviation aircraft are indispensable tools that assist support operations by our first responders, medical providers and businesses,” said Matthew Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). “We thank the Governor for his proclamation and support for this essential form of transportation.”

Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 6,300 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.